Cancer research relies upon the participation of people like you! Sometimes this entails answering surveys, being interviewed, or engaging in focus groups. Other times it may involve an active role in the design of research questions, study information, or research design. We are proud to support projects that are different, innovative, and have real benefits for cancer patients and their loved ones around the world, by assisting researchers in recruiting participants to get involved in cancer research.
Here are the details for some current opportunities to get involved in research
Exploring the impact that COVID-19 has had on the current and future support needs of people with cancer in Wales
Who is organising the research?
- Zoe Cooke – University of Wales Trinity Saint David
What is the research about?
We are interested in finding out what type of support people with cancer have been able to access since COVID-19, and what types of support are most helpful. To do this we would like to invite you to take part in an online interview about your experiences of cancer support during the pandemic. In the interview I would like to talk to you about the type of support you have accessed since COVID-19, whether you feel your needs have been met, and how you have coped during this time. We hope that the information you give us will help us find out how best to support people with cancer in Wales through COVID-19 and beyond.
Who can take part?
To take part in the study you must have a current diagnosis of cancer, be aged 18 or above and be residing in Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What does taking part involve?
The study involves taking part in a one-to-one online interview which should take around 30 minutes. The interview will take place online using Microsoft Teams or Zoom. If this is something you are not familiar with, but would like to take part, please let us know. Taking part will involve being asked about your cancer and your experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate that some of these issues could be upsetting and want to remind you that taking part is entirely voluntary and you can stop the interview at any point.
How can you get involved?
If you would like to take part, find out more information or have any questions please email zoe.cooke@uwtsd.ac.uk
Assessing sleep disruptions, fatigue and mood disturbances in people affected by breast cancer
Who is organising the research?
- Dr Leanne Fleming, Dr Amanda Diserholt, Dr Nicola Peddie, the University of Strathclyde
What is the purpose of the study?
Mental health difficulties are a large public health concern across the world, and particularly for the breast cancer population who typically show higher rates than the general population. Sleep disruptions, fatigue and mood disturbances (such as anxiety and depression) are particularly common. However, we do not have good evidence of how widespread these symptoms are in those affected by breast cancer, and furthermore, an understanding of what the relationship between them may be. The aim of this research study is therefore to find this out. The results of this study would highlight the needs of people affected by breast cancer and inform the direction of future research and interventions, with the aim of minimising side-effects of diagnosis and treatment and improving quality of life.
Who can take part?
Anyone can take part who is 18 years or older, lives in the UK and has been diagnosed with breast cancer (at any point).
What does taking part involve?
Completing an online survey which takes around 10 minutes.
How can you get involved?
By clicking here, which will firstly take you to the Participant Information Sheet and then on to the survey
Online survey – Thinking styles after a cancer diagnosis
Who is organising the research?
- Sarah Beck at The University of Surrey
What is the purpose of the study?
People diagnosed with cancer can think about their illness in different ways. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the thinking styles people have after a cancer diagnosis and how these may influence their wellbeing and health. Findings from this study hope to inform ways in which we can better support those recently diagnosed.
Who can take part?
Those diagnosed with bowel, breast or prostate cancer (stage 1-3) within the previous 24 months. Aged over 18 and living in the UK.
What does taking part involve?
Participants will be asked to complete an online survey (15-20 minutes) involving questions regarding their thinking styles, health and wellbeing. Participants can sign up to receive a follow up questionnaire 3 and 6 months later
How can you get involved?
Please click here or email sarah.beck@surrey.ac.uk for more information
We are looking for community champions to help us with a new study called TIC-TOC.
Who is organising the research?
- Co-Chief Investigators are Professor Katherine Brain and Dr Grace McCutchan (both Cardiff University).
What is the purpose of the study?
TIC-TOC is a new study that involves a six-month public campaign to raise awareness of vague cancer symptoms and support people to seek advice from their GP with these symptoms, ultimately with the aim to improve cancer outcomes. TIC-TOC is funded by Cancer Research Wales.
Who can take part?
- Based in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area (Rhondda; Taff Ely; Merthyr; Cynon; and Bridgend).
- Connected with or are willing to connect with a range of social groups, organisations and clubs in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area.
- Enthusiastic, friendly and approachable and who like meeting new people.
- Feel able to approach people to talk about cancer (we will provide training to help you with this).
- Have access to a computer and are computer literate (some events may need to be held online due to COVID-19 restrictions).
- Self-motivated.
The use of a car is also essential for this role, and all reasonable travel expenses will be paid.
There are five of these roles, and ideally we are looking for people from Rhondda; Taff Ely; Merthyr; Cynon; and Bridgend.
It may also be beneficial to the role if you can converse in Welsh as well as English (this is not essential).
This role may not be appropriate for someone who is currently shielding due to COVID-19 as it will involve meeting members of the community in person. Meeting in person should only be done when government rules allow, we don’t expect champions to contravene government COVID-19 rules on social distancing.
This is a voluntary role but you will receive a small reimbursement for your time. The time spent weekly on the role is flexible but we suggest that you might want to spend approximately eight hours a week doing the role. The role will commence in May 2021 and last eight months.
What does taking part involve?
We want to recruit five community champions to help us distribute information about the TIC-TOC campaign to people living in Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area.
The key duties of the role are:
- Distribute campaign materials to people in the local community (e.g. putting posters/leaflets in places in the community where you know lots of people visit).
- Host events in the community and online – this will involve speaking to people about vague cancer symptoms and supporting people who have symptoms to consult their GP. This role may not be appropriate for someone who is currently shielding due to COVID-19 as it will involve meeting members of the community in person. Meeting in person should only be done when government rules allow, we don’t expect champions to contravene government COVID-19 rules on social distancing.
- Working collaboratively with the study team and attend meetings in person/online where required.
Training for the role, campaign materials, a mobile phone and any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (this may be needed to engage with members of the community) will be provided by the study team.
How can you get involved?
For more information (e.g. regarding the role, reimbursement for your time, etc.) contact Gwenllian Moody on moodyg@cardiff.ac.uk.
Tell us about yourself and apply!
If you would like to apply for this role, please send a half-page summary to Gwenllian Moody (moodyg@cardiff.ac.uk) of why you are interested and what qualities you think you can bring to the role. If we think you might be suitable you will be invited for an informal group interview.
Online Survey - Thinking about a fear of cancer recurrence and illness perceptions, as well as mental health in young people who have survived cancer.
Who is organising the research?
- Michael Horwood (Trainee Clinical Psychologist) at The University of Bath.
What is the purpose of the study?
Many people who have survived cancer can experience a fear that it will return, which we call ‘fear of cancer recurrence’. Previous studies have found that in both adults and children, fear of cancer recurrence can get in the way of their general lives and is related to their mental health. However, we don’t yet know very much about fear of cancer recurrence in teenage and young adult cancer survivors.
We want to understand more about fear of cancer recurrence in young people who have survived cancer. We think that fear of cancer recurrence might be connected to illness perceptions (i.e. how we think about our illness) and to mood. To investigate this, we are asking young people, age 16-24, who have survived cancer to fill in questionnaires. These measure fear of cancer recurrence, illness perceptions, mood, quality of life, fatigue and general functioning.
Who can take part?
- People aged 16-24 years old.
- Who are in remission from your cancer and have completed active cancer treatment.
- Who received treatments for your cancer between the ages of 13-24.
What does taking part involve?
- If you decide to take part, you will be asked to fill in a consent form, a demographic questionnaire, a clinical information questionnaire and the seven questionnaires online. This should take between 20-30 minutes.
- Once you have finished the questionnaires online, that is all you need to do.
- On completion, you can choose to be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win 1 of 5 £20 amazon vouchers.
How can you get involved?
Please click here but if you want to find out more about taking part in the research, you can contact the researcher at FCRresearch@bath.ac.uk.
Jam the Mess – game development
Who is organising the research?
- Cardiff University in collaboration with CardiffMetropolitan University
What is the purpose of the study?
Although cancer will probably affect us all or someone close to us in our lifetime, most people know very little about the science behind this disease – there is a knowledge gap to be filled. We are looking to run a “game jam” event to create a cancer-themed digital game to provide a tool that can help make learning about cancer engaging and accessible.
Participants will be grouped in teams to work on the game development and compete for a final prize. The winning game, judged by a group of volunteers interested in the project, will be published on an online platform.
A “game jam” is an established format for rapid and exploratory game design. Following feedback, we have put together a programme over 2 weeks which aims to be as inclusive for as many audiences as possible, including game developers, artists, researchers, educational specialists and interested participants.
Who can take part?
Anyone over the age of 16.
What does taking part involve?
Participants will be expected to attend the following sessions hosted live on an online platform (zoom), in which guidance will be provided by cancer biology and game development experts. Project materials will also be made available to all participants via online tools.
- Monday 12th April 12-4pm
- Tuesday 13th April 12–3pm
- Friday 16th April 12 – 3pm
- Tuesday 20th April 12- 2pm
- Friday 23rd April 12 – 4pm
How can you get involved?
Sing up by clicking here or contact JamTheMess@Cardiff.ac.uk for more information
Other opportunities will be added all the time so please keep a look out here and on our social media for other ways you might be able to get involved.
